Large quantity of explosives found with TMC candidate, NIA makes arrest

The Central Investigation Agency (NIA) has arrested a Trinamool Congress (TMC) candidate in connection with allegations of possessing explosives and incendiary devices during the panchayat elections. The incident took place in Nalhati, Birbhum, on Monday. The candidate, Manoj Ghosh, was summoned and questioned at the Nalhati police station before being arrested by the NIA.

Manoj Ghosh hails from Bahadurpur village in Baniur Panchayat, Nalhati-1 block. He is contesting as a TMC candidate in the ongoing panchayat elections. The NIA called him to Nalhati police station on Monday and interrogated him for a considerable period.

According to NIA sources, Manoj Ghosh was arrested due to contradictions in his statements. The agency intends to interrogate him further regarding the recovery of explosives. Manoj Ghosh owns a stone crusher. On June 28, the NIA conducted raids at his crusher's office. They seized a bag filled with explosives, a firearm, gelatin sticks, 85,000 electric detonators, and 2,700 kilograms of ammonium nitrate.

Moreover, the NIA recovered a significant amount of gelatin sticks, 85,000 electric detonators, and 2,700 kilograms of ammonium nitrate from Manoj Ghosh's office premises.

In a separate incident, Manoj Ghosh had allegedly tried to break into the High Court. Following this, the NIA called him to the police station after the completion of polling and arrested him. He is accused of supplying incendiary devices and explosives to Maoists and Naxalites in Odisha, Jharkhand, and Andhra Pradesh.

Recently, after questioning an arrested Naxalite leader, Andhra Pradesh Police discovered the address of Manoj Ghosh. Similarly, on June 28, the NIA conducted a search at Manoj Ghosh's residence, recovering a substantial amount of explosives, detonators, and ammonium nitrate. At that time, Manoj was absconding.

On July 7, Manoj Ghosh returned to his village, which came to the NIA's attention. They arrested him from his home on Sunday night. The accused, Manoj Ghosh, is a Trinamool Congress candidate for the local gram panchayat elections in Nalhati.

Manoj Ghosh has several illegal coal and coal mine shafts registered under his name. These mines are considered unlawful, and their licenses are forged. Concerns have been raised about this matter in the past, and now the NIA has arrested him in connection with these illegal activities.